Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1887-08-17
PARTY COW ARDICE.

Some years ago the two great par
ties were representatives Of active
living issues, and then they were bold
in assertion and eager in effort. The
people, the voters, we're alive to the
importance of success, on either side,
and, equally with the several leaders,
yere anxiona. Some Of these issues
have been decided and belong TO the
past their battles have been fought
and the effect Is now in history while
the cause is out of polotics. Other
less effective in arousing individuals
enthusiasm remain, but there is no
distinc party line to be drawn on any
of them. The predictions of men,
bers OF either party are not partisan,
any longer, II is impossible to know a
Republican from Democrat by learn
ing his pi,ws on the Tariff or Silver
question without first learning his
locality and occupation. Even If the
party lines were strictly drawn on
either or all existing questions OF Ma
tiopa economy, the matters in dis
pute are not sush as to engender
strong personal feeling, and the favor
tie theory of any one may be strongly
disputed without danger of ohense.
Now, the parties while retaining
generally their old mem bership are not
hot blooled about anything proposed
by their leaders. In order to keep
them in hand it Is necessary 10 recall
the past and make the most of former
but fortunately almost forgotten ami
mosties. The two parties in fact,
instead of being the opponents OF
widely divided and intensely bitter
feelings, us in years ago, are at present
only the representatives of the ambl-
ton for office of certain of their lead
ers Once they felt that they are the
means to an end which was the accom-
plishment of results of vast impor-
lance To the country. One OF the
ether side was wrong on each issue,
but both sides were strong believers
and both sides, through the expression
of their leadees were distinct and bold
in their assertion. Now they feel
that they are still the means to an end,
but that end Is the election of candl-
didates, and indifference has supplant-
ed active partisan sentiments. The
consequence is that the parties only
supporting the am biion of the lead
ers are simply political towards, for
the leader is now not only the party
but his desire for Office is about all
that is left of party spirit. These men
anxious for election are afraid of the
entrance into discussion of any ques-
ton which is recognized as of impor-
tancc and upon which men feel
strongly and divide distinctly. All
OF them on both sides hope to hold
their own parties by the party name
and TO draw from the other side by
reason of IT'S indifference and yainly
but unwisely avoid the American
question keeping il out of sight when
possible and handling it gingerly
when it is forced upon them. They
know that 1t will bring up the senti.
ments which produce partisans, and,
that argument will occasionly give
offense. Privately nearly all will
admit that the principles of Ameri
cauism are right, but urged by their
own fear of losing votes insist that
the time has not vet come, None of
them fear the American vote but they
fear the vote Of the horde which is
now coming and their seltishness and
cowardice are holding back the pow
ers that would save the people who are
here from slavery to over competition
although they see each day of delay
makes matters worse both socially
and politically, and harder to remedy.